Game-table.



M. J. WHELAN.

GAME TABLE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 14, 1915.

1,169,585. Patented Jan. 25, 1916.

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- UNITED. STATEe EATENT @FllCE.

MICHAEL J. NHELAN, 01E MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOE T6 THE BBUNSVICK- BALKE-CGLLENDEE COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

GAME-TABLE.

Application filed. May 14, 1915.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, MICHAEL J. WHELAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at liluslregon, in the county of Muskegon and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Game- Tables, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates in general to game tables, more particularly to billiard tables,

and it has special reference to the cushions customarily provided on the rail of such tables.

The object of the invention is to impart more life to the ball by increasing the residency of the cushion, and at the same time improve the accuracy with which the ball is reflected by the cushion.

My invention is particularly valuable in those billiard games requiring that the ball shall strike two or more cushions, and in which it is not only important that the ball shall be lively but also that it shall be reflected from the cushion with as near absolute accuracy as possible. A hard cushion does not afford the desired resiliency and a soft cushion will not reflect the ball at a true angle.

To illustrate the invention 1 have shown it embodied in asection of a billiard table, but obviously it may be used in other tables where it is desired to combine life and accuracy in the action on the ball.

Figure 1 is a vertical section through a portion of a billiard table embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the action of the cushion in use.

Referring to the drawings, the table 8 has a cushion rail l provided with an inclined side 5 disposed in a plane at an angle to the normal plane of the bed to receive and support the cushion. A rubber cushion 6. of substantially triangular shape, is secured by cement or otherwise on the cushion supporting side 5 of the rail with one of its edges disposed downwardly. This cushion has a longitudinal groove 7 in its working face 8 and a s milarly disposed groove or open channel 9 in its back 10- each of these grooves being located intermediate of adjacent edges of the cushion, and forming a contracted neck 11 in the cushion above its basal apex.

The rubber cushion of this invention is like, or substantially like. that covered by my Patent, No. l,08l,9l6, dated January 20,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 25, 13 16.

Serial No. 23,047.

1914, but instead of providing the cushion rail with a bead to fill the groove in the back of the cushion as shown in said patent I have found that superior results are obtained by making the cushion supporting side of the rail or substantially flat to provide a channel alongside of the rail, as disclosed in Patents No. 481,387, dated August 23, 1892, and No. 562,514, dated June 23, 1896. In fact, it is due to the employment of a substantially triangular-shaped cushion mounted on a substantially flat sided cushion rail and provided with grooves in its working face and in its back to form a contracted neck therebetween, the groove in the back forming a channel alongside of the rail, that the desired life and accuracy are obtained.

The cushion is preferably provided with one or more layers 12 of fibrous material, such as canvas, vulcanized or otherwise affixed in a suitable manner to the top, working face and back of the cushion, although this fabric may extend over certain portions only of the cushion or may be eliminated entirely. A cloth covering 13 is disposed over the cushion 6 and the rail l and secured in position in the usual manner.

In Fig. 2 l have endeavored to illustrate, by broken lines, the result of the impact of the ball 14- upon the cushion at the instant when the ball is about to rebound from the cushion. It will be noted that the nose 15 and that part of the working face extending substantially to the lower edge of the groove 7 has been forced inwardly, the top 16 has been bulged upwardly and the wall of the groove 9 has been distorted. The entire action may be described as a pivotal motion of the upper front portion of the cushion about a point lying somewhat above the basal apex, together with a compression of the upper portion of the cushion. llhis action, which is due to the peculiar configuration of the cushion mounted upon the rail with a channel interposed therebetween, materially increases the repelling power of the cushion and the cushion exerts this increased force upon the ball in returning to normal position with greater accuracy of reflection than has been customary heretofore. My invention, therefore, provides for a much faster game with better control of the ball than has heretofore been possible.

It will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of parts Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing any of its material advantages and I therefore reserve the right to make all such changes as fairly fall Within the scope of the following claim.

I claim:

In a game table, the combination of a cushion rail having a flat side, and a substantially triangular-shaped rubber cushion mounted with its back against the fiat side 'of the rail, said cushion having a groove MICHAEL J. XVHELAN.

Witnesses:

J. O. MATTESON, F. J. LOEWE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

